These Two Artists Created a Frank-Stella-Inspired Affair [Holly & Blaine]

For Holly Keogh, a painter, and Blaine Hurdle, a jeweler with Diamonds Direct, April 23, 2016 was much like the opening day of an art show. On this one, however, they exchanged lifetime vows at C3 Lab in Charlotte, surrounded by over 100 guests.

The pair had previously put on art shows together at C3 Lab, a coworking and alternative art space in South End. “We were comfortable doing projects there,” Holly says. “Using that space helped me to not over-think it.”

With some serious imagination and a lot of help from friends and family, their “New Wave Dream” vision was brought to life. The backdrop for the altar was inspired by the couple’s favorite artist, Frank Stella, as were other small details, such as the jewel-toned chandelier, the table runners made from paint chips, and the bold, geometric cake made by Holly’s sister, Aryn, who owns Delish Cakery. A year prior, Blaine proposed to Holly in front of an iconic Stella painting at the North Carolina Museum of Art, making the theme of the wedding especially sentimental.

Though both are Charlotte natives, Holly, 26, and Blaine, 29, didn’t meet until a few years ago during a concert at NoDa’s Neighborhood Theatre. “I remember complimenting him on his E.T. pin,” Holly says. “We’ve hung out pretty much every single day since.”

The couple wed at sunset in C3 Lab’s charming alleyway, and the ceremony was officiated by Blaine’s lifelong friend. “We had this romantic speech planned, but the nerves just got the best of him and he forgot the whole thing,” says Holly. “The whole ceremony was comic relief. He forgot to say to exchange rings. He said ‘Frank Zappa’ instead of ‘Frank Stella’…People were giggling.”

But Holly and Blaine, happy to be together and surrounded by loved ones, wouldn’t of had it any other way. After the ceremony, the couple walked out to Lou Reed’s “Take a Walk on the Wild Side” performed by Blaine’s three longtime friends.

Guests gathered inside for an artsy reception with live music, craft beer, and a buffet-style dinner including vegetarian and vegan dishes from Nourish Charlotte, as well as other local flavor. Because Holly’s family was visiting from England, the couple also wanted to have dishes from their favorite mom-and- pop spots, including Sabor, Pinky’s and Price’s Chicken Coop. Friends danced and mingled well into the night, resulting in an impromptu late-night beer run.

“The day was nothing short of a dream,” says Blaine. “We knew from the beginning that we didn’t want to have the cookie-cutter wedding. Instead we wanted it to be a reflection of who we are. We approached the whole thing as more of an art installation that we got to work on together.”

As for the Frank Stella-inspired altar they exchanged vows in front of, Holly says it will soon be a headboard in their bedroom: “We wanted our altar to look like a piece of art, so we could hold on to that.”